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WWE Royal Rumble 2026: Final Predictions After SmackDown

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Steven Harrison | Last updated Jan 30, 2026 7:02 PM ET

We’re in the final hours.

Soon, the world will know which man and woman punch their tickets to world championship matches at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.

With SmackDown: Riyadh already in the books, the next live show will be the Rumble.

More than any other Premium Live Event, the Royal Rumble invites prediction. It’s the one night where momentum can change careers—and having watched WWE for nearly 30 years and attended multiple Rumbles live, I’ll join the conversation.

Here are my WWE Royal Rumble 2026 predictions.

Men’s Rumble: LA Knight

LA Knight has been off television since the December 8 Raw.Getty Images

This was a late call.

Up until Friday, I had Roman Reigns penciled in. But as the week closed, the answer became clearer.

The Royal Rumble works best when it elevates someone who wouldn’t otherwise be handed a WrestleMania main event. If Reigns wins, the Rumble feels ceremonial. If LA Knight wins, the Rumble means everything.

I’m not Knight’s biggest supporter—but moments like this are exactly why the match exists. If WWE is ever going to fully commit and see what a true main-event run looks like, this is the night.

And if CM Punk is still World Heavyweight Champion by WrestleMania, a Punk–Knight showdown—given their 2025 history—is legitimately intriguing.

Book it.

Women’s Rumble: Tiffany Stratton

It’s Tiffy Time.

Stratton has been off television since November 1. She’s featured prominently in WrestleMania Vegas promotional packages. Jade Cargill is the Women’s Champion. Every signal points in one direction.

Liv Morgan already had her major Saudi Arabia moment with her 2024 Women’s Crown Jewel victory—and she’s had her big return spotlight recently at Survivor Series.

WWE needs to re-establish Stratton in an increasingly crowded top tier of women’s stars, and there’s no better vehicle than the Royal Rumble. The Riyadh crowd will embrace it, and fans watching worldwide will too.

That’s the kind of momentum that carries straight through April.

WWE Title: McIntyre Retains

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: New Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre makes his way to the ring during SmackDown at OVO Arena Wembley on January 16, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty Images)

I want Sami Zayn to win the big one—for his son, for the story, for the moment.

But I don’t see it happening here.

Drew McIntyre’s run feels like it’s only beginning, and his ongoing issues with Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu are far from resolved. Expect a physical, emotional match filled with near-falls—but in the end, Drew survives and retains.

Gunther vs. AJ: Styles Won’t Lose

I’m not predicting a clean AJ Styles victory.

But I am predicting that Styles won’t be forced into retirement.

Yes, fans love to complain about screwy finishes in big PLE matches—but if it preserves AJ’s career (in storyline) and opens the door to a true “Year of AJ Styles,” it’s a trade most fans will gladly accept.